“The company said that if it were to abandon its business and brands in Russia, “they would be appropriated – and then operated – by the Russian state”. Unilever said it had not been able to find a way to sell the business that “avoids the Russian state potentially gaining further benefit, and which safeguards our people”. It said in that light, continuing to run the business with “strict constraints” was the best option.”
Of course they are making profits there. But I suspect if they simply exit, that those profits would be made by whoever takes the business. Which would be some of the Kremlin oligarchs. It is “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation.
Unilever created its empire using Congolese slave labor under Belgian control between 1911 and 1945. Genocide and human rights abuses are literally built into the foundation of the company. Don’t believe their bullshit PR speak.
It’s just an excuse. You should never take corporate PR at their word. Especially if it boils down to “We have no choice but to continue making tons of money”.
From the article:
“The company said that if it were to abandon its business and brands in Russia, “they would be appropriated – and then operated – by the Russian state”. Unilever said it had not been able to find a way to sell the business that “avoids the Russian state potentially gaining further benefit, and which safeguards our people”. It said in that light, continuing to run the business with “strict constraints” was the best option.”
Of course they are making profits there. But I suspect if they simply exit, that those profits would be made by whoever takes the business. Which would be some of the Kremlin oligarchs. It is “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation.
No it’s not. Leave and destroy every asset you can’t take with you.
Translation: there’s money to be made and we want it.
Unilever created its empire using Congolese slave labor under Belgian control between 1911 and 1945. Genocide and human rights abuses are literally built into the foundation of the company. Don’t believe their bullshit PR speak.
It’s just an excuse. You should never take corporate PR at their word. Especially if it boils down to “We have no choice but to continue making tons of money”.